It's funny, I only wrote that 11 days ago and it now feels like the answer is obviously alongside. I'm not even sure what has changed in that time to make my mind up.
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There's nothing wrong with his passing?
Sometimes he will send it to another player at an awkward height because he hits it with pace, especially when he plays it through the middle. It makes it harder for it to be intercepted.
Of course it's a myth. He always lacked agility, but that's another thing, but he was never slow.
Carrick was soooo good in the 12-13 season. He was as good a playmaker as any that season, not to mention being so critical in shielding our defence. Absolutely incredible.
Wow, what a video, I could honestly watch that all day. Probably one of the best compilation videos I've seen. It really does highlight the amount of work that Carrick gets through, that goes largely unnoticed. The little interceptions, the quick lay offs, the one-twos too make space etc etc. Nothing too flashy, just brilliantly intelligent football.
It actually got me quite emotional watching that as the best two players, by far, were Carrick and RVP. And I have a feeling we'll never see those two hit that level again. Tempted to go and stick the 12/13 Season review on now.
Carrick pissed on midfields in Europe for over half a decade with partners in their 30's. Embarrassing that he can't crack the England team. Sums up the English football mentality. They would rather have a star name than a player with tactical awareness, positional discipline, good technique and proper ball retention abilities.
He will return and improve our defending as a team immediately.
He will return and improve our defending as a team immediately.
Or maybe people don't rate him as highly as the Cafe.
I love Carrick so much. This just proves I'm right.
Yeah sorry you are right, let's return to the real question, why I let a life take me away from the caf for 10 days.
Great video. It's amazing how quickly you can forget what you're missing. I'll never understand those who wrote him off last season. The issue was clearly the tactics, and it was obvious at the time. Anyway, I'm expecting his usual slow start to the season which might be more pronounced given its coupled with his lack of a preseason. I probably expect him to be eased back gently in and maybe hit form in the new year which I'll be glad for. It's also important to remember that he will be at the beginning of the process of learning LvGs philosophy and in that respect will be a bit behind the other lads. Looking forward to having him back though.
I've always been a big admirer of his, but then again, I have massive appreciation for the type of midfielder he is so perhaps I am a bit blind-sighted by his weaknesses. That said, I've always felt he has been very harshly criticised on here after he demonstrating the level he is capable of reaching in our title-winning campaign. As another poster said, him and RvP were our two best outfield players and while I don't hold much hope for the latter recapturing his 2012/13 form, I see no reason why Carrick cannot.
It widely-renowned and practically notorious for Carrick to take time to hit his best form, but in a team with midfield runners and players that compliment him more than any recent season, I don't see no reason why he cannot perform to a high level again. He didn't do well enough last year and shied away from responsibility at times, but you have to take into consideration he played in a deteriorating side, a Moyes-managed side and also suffered due to tactical instruction too.
I'm under no illusions that he is well into the twilight of his career and can't be depended on, but he has become an even more pivotal player for us given the loss of experience in defensive positions and the fact he can offer tutelage to young players and guidance in difficult matches when we are under the cosh. It's probably optimism speaking, but in games that he features, 5-3 losses to midtable sides will really prove to be an anomaly and we will fare far better from winning positions.
It widely-renowned and practically notorious for Carrick to take time to hit his best form, but in a team with midfield runners and players that compliment him more than any recent season, I don't see no reason why he cannot perform to a high level again. He didn't do well enough last year and shied away from responsibility at times, but you have to take into consideration he played in a deteriorating side, a Moyes-managed side and also suffered due to tactical instruction too.
I'm under no illusions that he is well into the twilight of his career and can't be depended on, but he has become an even more pivotal player for us given the loss of experience in defensive positions and the fact he can offer tutelage to young players and guidance in difficult matches when we are under the cosh. It's probably optimism speaking, but in games that he features, 5-3 losses to midtable sides will really prove to be an anomaly and we will fare far better from winning positions.
He'll be a huge boost now that he's finally back. Does so much defensive work that goes unnoticed, and helps control games. Nobody in our team has the ability to dictate games like he does either. The way Van Gaal talked about him in the pressers makes me think he rates him really highly and him being out was a huge loss. Now that he finally has midfield partners able to create and do defensive work like Blind and Herrera, players willing to go deep and pick up the ball, and energetic players, he has every chance to go back to his best. The only problem is the age but given Herrera and Blinds mobility, I think it'll prolong Carricks career.
Put him at the base of the diamond, Blind on the left and Herrera on the right, Di maria at a free role in the middle and that will IMO be our go to lineup in big games where we need more defensive cover. Seems like the Chelsea game will come too soon for him to start, but hopefully the City game a week later we can do something like this:
Put him at the base of the diamond, Blind on the left and Herrera on the right, Di maria at a free role in the middle and that will IMO be our go to lineup in big games where we need more defensive cover. Seems like the Chelsea game will come too soon for him to start, but hopefully the City game a week later we can do something like this:
De Gea
Rafael Jones Rojo Shaw
Carrick
Herrera Blind
Di Maria
Rooney Falcao
Just a great mix of passing, control, defensive workrate and players shielding the defence, and creativity and pace going forward. No players there who don't do their share of defensive work or pressing, and all very capable on the ball. In smaller games we can expect to dominate we can put him at center back next to Rojo/Jones or simply rest him to accommodate Mata/RvP.Rafael Jones Rojo Shaw
Carrick
Herrera Blind
Di Maria
Rooney Falcao
Good point. In theory, he will be used far more sparingly too which should be of huge benefit to him.
The Carrick of our 20th title win would be highly welcome. The player of last season was terrible though, but that could have been down to tactics and such. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Yeah. Over the past what, 7 years, for the most part he's had Scholes, Giggs, Cleverley or Anderson as his midfield partner. Fletcher for that 1 year was the exception in that he had a good partner, but that coincided with Carricks shite run of form that lasted a while. Him pretty much playing every game for the past few years no doubt took its toll at times and I think being used more sparingly, along with having the creative/defensive burden lifted from his shoulders he'll be even better.
His performances last season I'd put down to style and the general lack of movement from everyone.
Don't want to put the cart before the horse but this lineup looks very promising on paper. Our midfield looks at least a hundred times better than last season and Di Maria, Rooney and Falcao together look deadly. My only concern would be that Di Maria wouldn't get the space and time to do what he does best, i.e. run at the defence if he plays right behind the two strikers. IMO a flatter 4-3-3 would suit him better and he can then run into the gaps created by the front three and create havoc.
If Van Gaal can somehow get the team to gel together now then we will be a formidable unit. I can see us comfortably getting Top 4 and with some luck a late challenge for the title cannot be completely ruled out.
That video. 
passing masterclass.
passing masterclass.Yeah lets pretend someone who has over 20k posts just stops in every 10 days or so. Don't reply to the rest of the post, I'm still interested in why you quoted me when it would be pointless to converse with someone holding my opinion.
It has to be one of him or Blind, or else this shit is going to be so static and incredibly dull. I can't remember the last time I actually had more fun watching us play football, and putting Carrick and Blind in the same team and also moving Di Maria from his best position will instantly suck 90% out of it. It's almost as if people don't like watching good football.
Disagree completely.
We're going to be on the end of an absolute hiding from City and Chelsea if we play Blind as the sole holding player. The likes of QPR and West Ham have just walked past our midfield in it's current state. Imagine what Fabregas or Toure might do.
I don't think it will affect us going forward either. Di Maria, Rooney and Herrera more than make up for the lack of agility of the two behind them.
In the games against Leicester, West Ham and Everton a real feature of the closing stages of those games when we were under pressure was a lack of composure, hoofing the ball away and adding to the general panic.
We were caught out at Leicester, lucky West Ham didn't capitalise and thankfully De Gea was god-like in the Everton game
Adding a player who is composed, will help us control the game to a greater degree and use the ball well will be a welcome addition - I felt it was embarrassing how poor we were against West Ham - down to 10 men granted but we had no control over that games for the last 25 mins or so.
We were caught out at Leicester, lucky West Ham didn't capitalise and thankfully De Gea was god-like in the Everton game
Adding a player who is composed, will help us control the game to a greater degree and use the ball well will be a welcome addition - I felt it was embarrassing how poor we were against West Ham - down to 10 men granted but we had no control over that games for the last 25 mins or so.
Exactly, its kinda scary to think if we had a composed, cool headed midfielder he could've got the ball out of defense and turned it into an instant counter attack (considering the other team were well pushed up the pitch) this would bring back our fear factor, because even if we're sitting deep taking a beating we can strike back with some of the most deadly attacking players in the world. Now I see the fuss people have over Strootman joining
Really hope he gets a run out on Monday in the second half. Will be nice to see him surrounded by good players in midfield for a change. If he can recover the type of form that he showed in that compilation we really will be formidable with Herrera/Blind and the movement of our forward players. Defensively we will be infinitely better off with Carrick at the base of the diamond as well with his frame and astute positioning.
Don't think he ll play a pl game without even playing in 1 practice match.. Think he ll play a small role next week after the West Ham friendly.
Can't wait to see him back for us.
We could do with a behind closed doors friendly in midweek. Waiting until Friday for an U21s game is too late if he is to be in contention for the Chelsea match. Maybe the game against City was always the more realistic target.
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Its a fair point. But he's been back in training for a while hasnt he? Im hoping he has been looking good in training and Van Gaal has been saving him as our surprise weapon for this game. Obviously he may well not be ready yet in which case Van Gaal wouldnt pick him. But I wouldnt rule him out purely because he hasnt played yet. If he is fit then throw him in there, at the end of the day he is going to improve us even if he's only at 80%. And he has to come back at some stage - bring him in against Chelsea and he he should look sharper for the City and Arsenal games.
We should stick with the same team we've had for the last few weeks. Bringing Carrick in now against the best team in the league currently is a bad idea IMO. Sure use him as a sub when the pace settles down a bit, but if we start him he might get caught out.
He could only really take Blind's position, and he has been our stand out performer for the last few games.
He could only really take Blind's position, and he has been our stand out performer for the last few games.
No way would I bring him in in place of Blind. Im talking about playing 4-2-3-1 with Carrick next to Blind.
It's the most logical. We'll need a great defensive performance but also attack well to win this one. Van Gaal has been talking about balance. Carrick and Blind in a 4231 formation with di maria and one striker will get us that balance.
Only issue is that Carrick has shown (as with a lot of players) that he needs games and a run of games to find form. Thats my only concern with the Chelsea game the fact he hasnt had much/any game time.
If he's fit I'd still 100% play him in the formation most are showing, with Blind, Herrera and Di Maria. And there are a few variations that this could work, i.e 2 sitting or diamond.
But think he'll be key in some of these big games. Just hoping he hits the ground running, rather than a slow start. (Fergie always used to say Carrick starts the season slowly I personally disagreed and thought he just didn't get given game time to get a run going)
Ye I think he has been back a few weeks in training, cant possibly be match fit though so it is a gamble to go with a player who is going to be 80% at best. Although, he has not been good this season, would Fletcher not be more likely to get the nod ? And Herrera also says he can play a more defensive midfield role, although Im yet to see that.
I dont have an issue with the formation and with a fully fit Carrick it makes sense but I personally wouldnt give someone their season debut in a game like this, we shall see what LvG thinks soon enough.
Saw a thing on the official site about Will Keane saying whatever side he's on in training, that they always win because of how smart of a player he is and bow they always dominate possession. He's exactly the type of player van Gaal likes, so hopefully he'll be fit to play. Next to blind and behind herrera, di maria and then either another winger or 2 strikers, both would work IMO. Would just make us a lot more solid defensively and help us dominate possession even more.
Remember Nani against Madrid. It just goes to show you dont always have to have matches behind you to play well. I agree its definitely a risk, I guess I just feel there are no obviously good options for making us solid against Chelsea, for me this is the least bad option. IF he is fit.
I dont remember the specific situation with Nani? my memory is not what is used to be!
And if Carrick had just been out a few weeks then its all good, but he hasnt played competively for about 5 months!
I dont mind the formation and idea of playing more defensively, but Id go with others to start and maybe bring on Carrick. Although I am not sure if Herrera is fully fit either, he didnt look 100% on Monday after his rib injury.
With Nani (and my memory isnt the most reliable either to be fair) he hadnt played for ages, he was like the forgotten man, and then boom, he comes in for the biggest game of the season and until he went off he was outstanding.
Like I said though, that is how I remember it but he may have had some isolated games or at least minutes here and there. I remember being amazed when he started, it felt like the first time Id seen him in months. But he probably had picked up some minutes here and there.
I just dont trust Fletcher. But maybe he is a better choice. Youre right about Herrera, he looked off the pace.
Anyway Van Gaal will know better than any of us who is feeling up to it. Im just certainly looking forward to when Carrick and Blind are fit to start playing together. Maybe now isnt the time for it but when those two are available to play together itll be a really good option for these kinds of games.
Like I said though, that is how I remember it but he may have had some isolated games or at least minutes here and there. I remember being amazed when he started, it felt like the first time Id seen him in months. But he probably had picked up some minutes here and there.
I just dont trust Fletcher. But maybe he is a better choice. Youre right about Herrera, he looked off the pace.
Anyway Van Gaal will know better than any of us who is feeling up to it. Im just certainly looking forward to when Carrick and Blind are fit to start playing together. Maybe now isnt the time for it but when those two are available to play together itll be a really good option for these kinds of games.
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Being out for so long, I doubt he'd be sharp. Chelsea might be too big of a test right now
Well, Fergie always did say that Carrick usually started playing his best football by the end of October!
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